Tennessee linebacker Quart’e Sapp compares learning the Vols’ new defense to progressing through college coursework.

You start with a 100-level course and work up to 300- and 400-level classes.

So are the Vols at, say, a 200 level now, as they wrap up their final week of spring practice?

“I think we’re a little bit over that,” Sapp said with a laugh, “but it’s just those little small details that actually give you a little edge or an advantage in the defense that we need to adjust on.”

Tennessee first-year coach Jeremy Pruitt is installing a 3-4 defense that’s inspired by what he operated at Alabama as the Crimson Tide’s defensive coordinator. Kirby Smart, another former defensive coordinator for Nick Saban, is running a similar scheme at Georgia.

The Vols had their second scrimmage of the spring on Saturday, and Sapp described the performance as a mixed bag.

“We’ve got some things to correct,” he said. “We’ve got a long ways to go.”

Among the positives, Sapp said, was the way the defense executed technique.

“Our technique is getting a lot better,” Sapp said. “Obviously we have to change a lot of technique from the different scheme of the defense, things that we’re not accustomed to doing. So I feel like that, obviously, is getting a lot better. It should be getting a lot better, just towards the end of the spring.”

Tennessee’s first two scrimmages were closed to the public. The Vols’ spring game will be at 2 p.m. Saturday (SEC Network) at Neyland Stadium.

Pruitt coaches defense during practice, and he has made the defense’s challenge tougher this spring, Sapp said, by pointing out the unit’s flaws in offensive meetings.

“He tells them all the secrets and our weaknesses to our defense,” Sapp said.

Sapp figures that’s a good thing in the long run.

“There’s obviously other schools in this league right now that run a similar defense to us,” Sapp said, “so (UT’s offense is) getting an advantage on practicing against a team with the front we have, and we’re getting (the benefit) of seeing the weaknesses of our defense.”

Pruitt's scrimmage assessment

Pruitt said the offense "created a few more explosive plays" in the second scrimmage as compared to the previous week. He specifically complimented the running backs.

Defensively, Pruitt would like to see more takeaways and better tackling after initial contact.

“If you play the right way, then the runners don’t want to run the ball," Pruitt said. "We’ve got to improve on that.”

On the move

Two players were back at their old positions during Tuesday's practice. Matthew Butler returned to the defensive line after moving to offensive line last week, and LaTrell Bumphus moved back to tight end from defensive line.

Those two were among seven players who shifted positions last week. Four remain at the spots they switched to. Tyler Byrd continues to work at wide receiver. Alontae Taylor remains at cornerback. And Eric Crosby and Greg Emerson are still with the offensive line.

Princeton Fant had a one-day audition at linebacker and switched back to running back last week.